Tomic into Australian Open third round

Bernard Tomic has staged a spirited fightback to send local hopes soaring at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

Melbourne VIC, Australia, 21 January 2015 | AAP

Bernard Tomic has staged a spirited fightback to send local hopes soaring at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

Tomic roared back from a set and a break down to upend German 23rd seed Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) to complete a thrilling Wednesday night hat-trick for Australia.

The grand slam hosts are now assured of second-week singles participation after Tomic’s fighting win set up an all-Australian third-round shootout with supersonic server Sam Groth.

“We’re not going to have a lot of rallies, are we,” Tomic said.

Teenage excitement machine Nick Kyrgios is a hot favourite to follow Tomic or Groth into the last 16 after withstanding 40 aces from Ivo Karlovic to cut down the giant No.23 seed 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 5-7 6-4 in a cool and composed display on Show Court 3.

If Kyrgios can see off Tunisia’s world No.75 Malek Jaziri on Friday, the 19-year-old will likely take on Roger Federer in a blockbuster battle for a quarter-final spot.

Tomic’s tournament appeared to be coming to an end when he dropped the opening set in a tiebreaker and trailed Kohlschreiber 3-1 in the second set.